Veteran History Project field kit - The Library of Congress · PDF fileVeterans History...

Conducting and Preserving Interviews

Library of Congress American Folklife Center

FIELD KIT

The Veterans History Project collects and preserves personal stories and other documents from America’s war veterans.

The Library of CongressFI

ELD

KIT

The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project (VHP) in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, one of the world’s most respected research

and cultural institutions.

VHP’s mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible the personal accounts of American wartime veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Who – Veterans who served in the United States military, in any capacity, from World War I through the present and are no longer serving are eligible to participate, regardless of branch or rank. Civilians who served in support of a United States war effort in a professional capacity also are welcome to participate. As contributors to this national preservation effort, volunteers from around the country interview veterans and collect first person narratives. Any individual or organization may participate, including family members and friends of veterans, students in grades 10 or higher, high school and university educators, authors, veteran service organizations, places of worship, retirement communities, Scout troops, local businesses and professional associations.

What – VHP accepts veterans’ personal narratives in the forms of original, unedited audio- and video-recorded interviews, photographs, letters, diaries, journals, military documents, two-dimensional artwork, maps and unpublished memoirs that meet minimum requirements.

When – Any day is a good day to share, record or submit a veteran’s story. Begin today.

Where – VHP participation is occurring all over the United States, in every Congressional district and U.S. territory. Conduct VHP interviews in any quiet, indoor location such as a home, private office or conference room.

Why – As a primary source, researchers, scholars and educators rely upon VHP collections. These oral histories, photographs, manuscripts and other original materials are a rich supplement to historical texts and a valued cultural resource. Veterans’ family members treasure the memories that are permanently preserved at the Library of Congress for future generations. Please contact VHP at least one week in advance to schedule an appointment to research or view collections on-site. Call (202) 707-4916.

How – Sit down with a veteran and conduct a video- or audio-recorded interview about his or her military service. Or, submit a collection of original photographs or documents that tell the veteran’s story from his or her perspective, even if the veteran is deceased or unable to share an oral history. Remember to submit originals only and to follow the 30-20-10 Rule (p. 1).

Continue reading this Field Kit for details on how to prepare (p. 1), how to participate (p. 1), what to ask during an interview (p. 2), how to submit collections (p. 3), which forms are required for submission (pp. 5-12) and which media and recording formats are acceptable (p. 13).

If you have questions, contact the toll-free message line at 1-888-371-5848 or email [email protected].

Visit VHP online at www.loc.gov/vets.

Thank you for helping to preserve history for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project!

PREPARE

u Visit the Veterans History Project website, www.loc.gov/vets.

• Viewthe15-minuteFieldKitCompanionVideo. • Searchthecollectionsdatabase,andviewonlinecollections. • PrintadditionalformsandFieldKits. • RegisterfortheVHPRSSfeed.

u Read this entire Field Kit to become familiar with the process and requirements.

u Veterans:

• CompletetheBiographicalDataForm(p.5)andVeteran’sReleaseForm(p.7). • Searchyourhomeforphotographsthatmayhelpshareyourstory(p.11). • Searchyourhomefordocumentstohelpyouwriteandsubmitanunpublishedmemoir(p.12).

u Volunteers / Interviewers:

• CompletetheInterviewer’sReleaseForm(p.8)andallotherrequiredforms(pp.9-12). • Secureaquietlocationfortheinterview. • CarefullyreviewtheAcceptedMediaandFormatStandardslist(p.13). • Testrecordingequipmentforsoundandlightingbeforeeachinterview. • Ifpossible,meetwiththeveteraninadvancetoreviewformsandhelpformulateinterview questions that are personalized to the veteran’s experience (p. 2).

PARTICIPATE

u Share your story if you are a veteran. Simply sit down with a friend, peer or loved one and record a conversation about your military experiences for 30 minutes or longer. Or, you may contribute your unpublished, original memoir (p. 12).

u Interview a veteran in your family or community. The interview process requires the forms from this Field Kit, an interviewer, an interviewee and a recording device. See p. 2 for a list of interview questions. See p. 13 for a list of acceptable media and recording formats.

u Collect a veteran’s original photographs, letters and other historical documents. Be sure to submit the corresponding forms with each (pp. 11-12).

u Remembertosubmitoriginalsonly,andtofollowthe30-20-10Rule.Materialsthatfailtomeetatleastone of the following minimum requirements will be returned to the contributor:

•30 minutes is the minimum length required for recorded interviews. •20 pages is the minimum number of pages required for memoirs, diaries or journals. •10 is the minimum number of photographs, letters, maps or pieces of artwork and the minimum number of pages required for military documents.

u Collaborate with other individuals or organizations. VHP’s official Founding Partner Program closed in 2009; however, you are encouraged to combine resources with others to collect these priceless stories for posterity.

u Allow eight to 10 weeks for VHP to acknowledge receipt of your materials, and allow four to six months for VHP to create the veteran’s online record at www.loc.gov/vets.

VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT Field Kit 1

INTERVIEW

It is the interviewer’s job to make the veteran feel comfortable and to be a good listener. Each interview session will be unique. The following is an outline (not a script) to help the interviewer guide the veteran through the conversation. Tailor the questions as you and the veteran see fit.

Introduction

The interviewer must begin the recording by stating his or her name and organizational affiliation (if any), the veteran’s full name, the date and the general location in which the interview is being conducted. Please do not disclose private information such as home addresses, military serial numbers or Social Security numbers.

Biographical Details

a) Where and when were you born? b) Who are/were your parents and what are/were their occupations? c) Who are/were your siblings? Names and genders? Which, if any, serve/served in the military? d) What were you doing before you entered the service? Early Days of Service

a) In which branch of the military did you serve? b) Didyouenlistorwereyoudrafted? c) If you enlisted, why did you choose that specific branch of the military? d) What happened when you departed for training camp and during your early days of training? e) Doyourecallyourinstructors?Ifso,whatweretheylike? f) Didyoureceiveanyspecializedtraining?Ifso,what? g) How did you adapt to military life, including the physical regimen, barracks, food and social life?

Wartime Service

a) Where did you serve? b) If you served abroad, what are some memories you have of that experience? c) If you were on the front lines, what combat action did you witness? d) If you were not on the front lines, what were your duties? e) If you saw combat, how did you feel when witnessing casualties and destruction? f) What kinds of friendships and camaraderie did you form while serving, and with whom? g) How did you stay in touch with family and friends back home? h) What did you do for recreation or when you were off-duty?

War’s End/Coming Home

a) Where were you when the war ended? b) How did you return home? c) How were you received by your family and community? d) How did you readjust to civilian life? e) Have you remained in contact with or reunited with fellow veterans? If so, who? f) Are you a member of any veterans’ organizations? If so, which? g) What have you done since separating from the military?

Reflections

a) How did your wartime experiences affect your life? b) What are some life lessons you learned from military service? c) How has your military service impacted your feelings about war and the military in general? d) What message would you like to leave for future generations who will view/hear this interview? e) Is there anything you feel like we haven't discussed, or should be added to this interview? If so, what?

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2 Field Kit VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT

SUBMIT

Prior to submitting a collection, make two copies of the interview and other materials. Keep one copy for yourself and give one to the veteran. To avoid damages caused by the Library of Congress’ special security screening process, do not use the U.S. Postal Service. Place your items in a box, enclose a cover letter (p. 4) and use one of the following submission options.

u Option 1

Use a commercial carrier* (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.), and deliver to:

Veterans History Project The Library of Congress 101 Independence Avenue, SE Washington,DC20540-4615

* Do not pay extra for expedited service. Use “ground” or the least expensive delivery option.

u Option 2

Hand-deliver: Stopbytheaddressabove,RoomLM-109oftheMadisonBuilding,weekdaysbetween10:00a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and a VHP representative will assist you. Call (202) 707-4916 in advance.

PROCESS

Once your materials are received, they will go through a process that may take up to four to six months.

1. Review–VHPstaffwillreviewyourmaterialstoensuretheymeetminimumrequirements.Materialsthatdo not meet VHP’s minimum requirements will be dispositioned (returned to the contributor) within eight to 10 weeks.

2. Acknowledgement – VHP staff will acknowledge receipt of your materials via postcard within eight to 10 weeks.

3. Data Entry – VHP staff will enter details about the veteran and the materials into an internal collections database, which is used for research purposes.

4. Archiving – VHP staff will carefully label, preserve and store your materials in a temperature- and moisture-controlled environment to ensure they will not degrade.

5. Creation of Online Record – VHP staff will create an online record for the veteran, accessible through

a search of the online database at www.loc.gov/vets. In addition to details about the veteran’s military service, the online record also will include the contributor’s name and affiliation. Every veteran receives an online record; however, some collections are digitized and made fully-available online and identified bya“VIEWDIGITALCOLLECTION”button.


COVER LETTER

Date___/___/_____

Contributor’sName____________________________________

Organization__________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Phone(____)_______________________________

Email_____________________________________

Dear Veterans History Project Staff:

Enclosed,pleasefindatotalof________VeteransHistoryProjectcollectionsforthefollowingveterans.

Veteran’s Name Materials Enclosed ________________________________ _________________________________________________

________________________________ _________________________________________________

________________________________ _________________________________________________ ________________________________ _________________________________________________

________________________________ _________________________________________________

________________________________ _________________________________________________

I have reviewed the following checklist to ensure that each of my collections meets VHP’s minimum requirements.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Original, unedited interview/materials Veteran’s Release Form (p. 7) Recordings last at least 30 minutes Interviewer’s Release Form (p. 8) Onerecordingpermediaformat(CD,DVDetc.) Audio and Video Recording Log (p. 9)Materialsmeetminimumquantities(p.1) Photograph Log (p. 11)BiographicalDataForm(p.5) ManuscriptDataSheet(p.12)

Signed,

___________________________________________

mm dd yyyy


Biographical Data FormREQUIRED

To ensure inclusion in the Veterans History Project, this form must accompany each submission. Please use reverse or additional sheet if service was in more than one war or conflict.

Veteran Civilian

Name__________________________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________________

City_________________________________________State_________Zip_____________–_________

Telephone(______)__________________________Email________________________________

PlaceofBirth____________________________BirthDate___/___/_____DeathDate___/___/_____

NextofKin:NameandAddress:____________________________________________________________

Race/Ethnicity(optional)________________________________________________MaleFemale Though you are not required to do so, providing this information will help researchers and ensure ourcollections accurately reflect the races and ethnicities of all who served.

BranchofServiceorWartimeActvity________________________________________________________

Commissioned Enlisted DraftedServicedates___/___/_____to___/___/______

HighestRank_____________________________________________________________________________

Unit,Division,Battalion,Group,Ship,etc.(Donotabbreviate.)__________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

War,operationorconflict__________________________________________________________________

Locationsofmilitaryservice________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Battles/campaigns(Names)_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Medalsorserviceawards(Pleaselistasspecificallyaspossible.)____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Specialduties/highlights/achievements________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Was the veteran a prisoner of war? Yes No

Didtheveteransustaincombatorservice-relatedinjuries?YesNo

Interviewer (if applicable) ____________________________________________________________

(Please use next page for any additional biographical information.)


ADDITIONAL SERVICE HISTORY INFORMATION (if necessary)

BranchofServiceorWartimeActivity___________________________________________________________

Commissioned Enlisted DraftedServicedates______________________to__________________

HighestRank________________________________________________________________________________

Unit,Division,Battalion,Group,Ship,etc.(Donotabbreviate.)______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

War,operationorconflict______________________________________________________________________

Locationsofservice___________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Battles/campaigns(Names)_________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Medalsorserviceawards(Pleaselistasspecificallyaspossible.)________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Specialduties/highlights/achievements___________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Was the veteran a prisoner of war? Yes No

Didtheveteransustaincombatorservice-relatedinjuries?Yes No

Additional Biographical Information


Veteran's Release Form

TO BE COMPLETED BY VETERAN OR CIVILIAN (In cases of deceased veterans, to be completed by the donor of the material.)

I, ______________________________________________ , am a participant in the Veterans History Project (hereinafter “VHP”)oftheLibraryofCongressAmericanFolklifeCenter.Iunderstandthatthepurpose of the VHP is to collect audio- and video-recorded oral his tories of America’s war veterans and of those who served in support of them, as well as selected related documentary materials such as photographs and manuscripts, for inclusion in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress. These oral histories and related materials serve as a record of American veterans’ wartime experiences and as a scholarly and educational resource for Congress and the general public.

I understand that the American Folklife Center plans to retain the product of my participation in the VHP, including but not limited to my interview, presentation, video, photographs, statements, name, images or likeness, voice, and written materials (“MyCollection”)aspartofitspermanentcollections.

IherebygranttotheLibraryofCongressownershipofthephysicalpropertycomprisingMyCollection.Additionally, I hereby grant to the Library of Congress, at no cost, the perpetual, nonexclusive, transferable, worldwide right to use, reproduce, transmit, display, perform, prepare derivative works from, distribute,andauthorizetheredistributionofthematerialsinMyCollectioninanymedium.Bygivingthis permission, I understand that I retain any copyright and related rights that I may hold.

I hereby release the Library of Congress, and its assignees and designees, from any and all claims and demandsarisingoutoforinconnectionwiththeuseofMyCollection,includingbutnotlimitedtoanyclaims for copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy, or right of publicity.

ShouldanypartofMyCollectionbefoundtoincludematerialsthattheLibraryofCongressdeemsinappropriate for retention with the collection or for transfer to other collections in the Library, the Library may dispose of such materials in accordance with its procedures for disposition of materials not needed for the Library’s collections.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED

Signature ________________________________________________________ Date ______________

Printed Name ___________________________________________________________________________

Veteran’s Address ________________________________________________________________________

Veteran’s Next of Kin: Name & Address _________________________________________________________

Name of Interviewer (if applicable) ___________________________________________________________

Relationship to Interviewer _________________________________________________________________

Library of Congress American Folklife Center VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT

VETERAN'S RELEASE FORM(See reverse for Interviewer’s Release Form)

REQUIRED

month /day/year


Inte

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wer's

Rel

ease

For

m

TO BE COMPLETED BY INTERVIEWERS, RECORDING OPERATORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS (Please circle appropriate category.)

I,______________________________,amaparticipantintheVeteransHistoryProject(hereinafter“VHP”)oftheLibraryofCongressAmericanFolklifeCenter.IunderstandthatthepurposeoftheVHPisto collect audio- and video-recorded oral histories of America’s war veterans and of those who served in support of them, as well as selected related documentary materials such as photographs and manuscripts, for inclusion in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress. These oral histories and related materials serve as a record of American veterans’ wartime experiences and as a scholarly and educational resource for Congress and the general public.

I understand that the American Folklife Center plans to retain the product of my participation in the VHP, including but not limited to my interview, presentation, video, photographs, statements, name, images or likeness, voice, and written materials (“MyCollection”)aspartofitspermanentcollections.

IherebygranttotheLibraryofCongressownershipofthephysicalpropertycomprisingMyCollection.Additionally, I hereby grant to the Library of Congress, at no cost, the perpetual, nonexclusive, transferable, worldwide right to use, reproduce, transmit, display, perform, prepare derivative works from, distribute,andauthorizetheredistributionofthematerialsinMyCollectioninanymedium.Bygivingthis permission, I understand that I retain any copyright and related rights that I may hold.

I hereby release the Library of Congress, and its assignees and designees, from any and all claims and demandsarisingoutoforinconnectionwiththeuseofMyCollection,includingbutnotlimitedtoanyclaims for copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy, or right of publicity.

ShouldanypartofMyCollectionbefoundtoincludematerialsthattheLibraryofCongressdeemsinappropriate for retention with the collection or for transfer to other collections in the Library, the Library may dispose of such materials in accordance with its procedures for disposition of materials not needed for the Library’s collections.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED

Signature _______________________________________________________ Date _____________________

Printed Name ______________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent or Guardian (if interviewer is a minor) ____________________ Date _____________________

Printed Name of Parent or Guardian _____________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

City __________________________________ State ______ ZIP ______________ – ____________

Telephone ( ________ ) _____________________ Email __________________________

Name of Veteran ___________________________________________________________________________

Organization affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________

Library of Congress American Folklife Center VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT

INTERVIEWER'S RELEASE FORM(See reverse for Veteran’s Release Form)

REQUIRED

month /day/year

month /day/year


Audio and Video Recording Log

AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING LOG

1. Name and address of contributor or interviewer.

NameofContributor/Interviewer_____________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

City__________________________________State______ZIP____________–______________

Telephone(________)________________________Email_______________________________

Organizationaffiliation(ifany)_______________________________________________________

2. Name and birth date of the veteran or civilian being interviewed as it appears on the Biographical DataForm.

NameofVeteran/Civilian__________________________________BirthDate________________

3. Recording format (please check)

VIDEOtype: AUDIOtype:

DigitalVideo(MiniDV,DVCAM,DVPRO) Cassette DVD-RVideo CD-R FlashDrive FlashDrive Other_____________________(identify)

4. DIGITALFILEtype (please check)

WAV MPEG2 MPEG4/H.264 TXT/RTF TIF/JPG

5. Estimatedlengthofrecording(inminutes)______________Dateofrecording______________

6. Locationofrecording(City,State)__________________________________________________

7. Please log the topics discussed in the interview in sequence. You may estimate the minute marks. Example:

MinuteMark Topics 1:00 introduction 2:30 enlisted with best friend 4:50 chose Signal Corps and reasons why 10:00 boot camp and early days 22:40 on board troop ship to Europe 26:00 partof2ndwaveatOmahaBeachonD-Day 30:00 message for future generations

MinuteMark Topics (estimated) (presented in order of discussion on recording)

___________ ___________________________________________________________

___________ ___________________________________________________________

___________ ___________________________________________________________

___________ ___________________________________________________________

REQUIREDREQUIRED

month /day/year

month /day/year


MinuteMark Topics(estimated) (presented in order of discussion on recording)

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________

______________ ______________________________________________________________


Photograph Log

PHOTOGRAPH LOG

If the back of the photograph is too slick to label using a soft pencil, enclose each photograph in a labeled envelope.Donotuseapenormarkertolabelphotographs.Donotusetape,glue,staplesorpaperclipsonphotographs. List each person in photos from left to right (L-R) on description line.

Name of Veteran ____________________________________ Birth Date ______________________ PHOTOGRAPH #____ Location_________________________ Date____________________

Description________________________________________________________________________

PHOTOGRAPH #____ Location_________________________ Date____________________

Description_________________________________________________________________________


Description________________________________________________________________________


Description_________________________________________________________________________


Description________________________________________________________________________


Description_________________________________________________________________________


Description________________________________________________________________________


Description_________________________________________________________________________


Description________________________________________________________________________


Description_________________________________________________________________________

(Use additional log sheets as needed.)

month /day/year


MANUSCRIPT DATA SHEET(REQUIREDwithmemoirs,letters,diariesorotherwrittenmaterials)

Guidelines for Writing a MemoirTypewritten, double-spaced documents are easiest for researchers to read. Spark your memory by searching your home for documents and photographs from your service days. Use the interview outline (p. 2) as a guide for developing chapters or a table of contents to help researchers locate specific topics in your memoir.

Guidelines for Submitting Letters and Other Written MaterialsIdentify, by name, the writers and recipients of the letters and other documents and their relationship to the veteranorcivilianwhosenameappearsontheBiographicalDataForm(p.5).Describethemostinteresting/important topics and events mentioned in the letters or documents.

1. Name and address of contributor.

NameofContributor_____________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________________

City_______________________________________________State______ZIP____________–_______

Telephone(______)________________________Email_______________________________________

Organizationaffiliation(ifany)_____________________________________________________________

2. Name and birth date of the veteran or civilian professionally supporting the war as it appears on the BiographicalDataForm.

NameofVeteran/Civilian__________________________________________BirthDate_____________

Type of Item:___________________________________________________________________________

Topic:________________________________________________________________________________

Description:____________________________________________________________________________

Quantity_____________ NumberofPages____________

Type of Item:__________________________________________________________________________

Topic:________________________________________________________________________________

Description:____________________________________________________________________________


Type of Item:__________________________________________________________________________

Topic:________________________________________________________________________________

Description:____________________________________________________________________________


3. Otherlocation(s)thesematerialshavebeendonated:_________________________________________

month /day/year

(Use additional data sheets as needed.)


ACCEPTED MEDIA AND FORMAT STANDARDS

Use the highest-quality recording equipment available to you. The Library of Congress requires that you submit unedited materials in their original format. Recordings must be at least 30 minutes in length. Record onlyoneinterviewpermedia.Donotwriteon,addlabelstoorcopyprotectanyCDorDVD.

VHP accepts the following media:

• DigitalVideo(DV)MiniDV,DVCAM,DVPRO

• DVD-RVideo

• AudioCassettes

• CD-RAudio

• FlashDrives

Use the following file extensions:

• WAV onCD-RoraFlashDriveSpecifications: 96 kHz, 24-bit (suggested) or 44.1 kHz, 16-bit

• MPEG-2 onDVD-RoraFlashDriveSpecifications:atleast3Mbps,withaspatialresolutionof720x486at30fpsorthe highest your set-up allows.

• MPEG-4/H.264 onDVD-RoraFlashDriveSpecifications:atleast3Mbps,withaspatialresolutionof720x486at30fpsorthe highest your set-up allows.

• TXT/RTF onCD-R,DVD-R,oraFlashDriveSpecifications: 600 dpi (suggested) or 300 dpi

• TIF/JPG onCD-R,DVD-R,oraFlashDriveSpecifications: 600 dpi (suggested) or 300 dpi

Contact [email protected] with any questions.


DO Send only original, unedited materials DON'T Send photocopies, scans or edited materials

DO Send recordings that last at least 30 minutes DON'T Send recordings that last fewer than 30 minutes

DO Conduct interviews in a quiet, indoor location DON'T Conduct interviews outside or in noisy areas

DO Set up the recording equipment in advance DON'T Adjust equipment/zoom during recording

DO Interview U.S. military veterans DON'T Interview non-U.S. military veterans

DO Record veterans’ firsthand experiences DON'T Record or disclose private information or numbers

DO Send photographs and written materials DON'T Send uniforms, dog tags or other artifacts

DO PlaceCDsandDVDsinlabeledcasesorenvelopes DON'T LabelorwritedirectlyonCDsorDVDs

DO EnsureCDsandDVDsareplayablebeforesending DON'T CopyprotectCDsorDVDs

DO Submit all required forms for each veteran DON'T Submit materials without required forms

DO Enclose a cover letter with each package DON'T Submit packages without a cover letter

DO Use a commercial delivery service DON'T Use regular U.S. Postal Service

DO Use“ground”orleastexpensivedeliveryoption DON'T Pay extra for expedited delivery option

DO Submit deceased veterans’ materials DON'T Submit proxy interviews on behalf of veterans

DO Submit one veteran’s interview per media DON'T Submit group/multiple interviews on one media

DO Wait four to six months to view online record DON'T Expect online record to appear immediately

DO Participate if you are in grade 10 or higher DON'T Participate if you are in grade 9 or lower

DO Request a Spanish/English Field Kit if needed DON'T Submit non-English interviews or forms

DO Voluntarily participate with VHP DON'T Request/accept payment to participate with VHP

REMEMBER THE DO'S AND DON'TS

DO NOT SUBMIT MATERIALS BEYOND THOSE SPECIFIED.Should any part of the collection be found to include materials that the Library of

Congress deems inappropriate for retention with the collection or elsewhere within the Library, the Library may dispose of such material in accordance with its procedures for

disposition of materials not needed for the Library's collections.

☞


DO DON'T

VETERANS' RESOURCES

The Veterans History Project is an oral history program and does not handle veterans’ official service records, benefits or health care. Please refer to the following resources if you or a veteran you know need assistance.

Veterans Service Records 1-866-272-6272 www.archives.gov/veterans

Veterans Benefits 1-800-827-1000 www.benefits.va.gov/benefits

Veterans Health Care 1-877-222-8387 www.va.gov/health

Veteran Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, Press 1 www.VeteransCrisisLine.net

Do you have artifacts you wish to donate but are unable to because they are out of VHP’s scope?

Visit www.loc.gov/vets/relatedrepositories.html for a list of repositories that may be willing to accept three-dimensional items such as medals, uniforms and dog tags. To ensure the safety of your collection, please contact institutions before sending materials. Some institutions maintain a specific collections focus, so please contact the museum staff, archivist or curator to learn more about their collecting policies and the kinds of materials they can or cannot accept. Neither the Veterans History Project, the American Folklife Center nor the Library of Congress can speak for their collecting policies.


Photographs courtesy of Veterans History Project Collection,American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

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“Ifwedon’ttellourstory,thennobodywillknowwhattranspired.” –DonaldGriffith,KoreanWarVeteran

“Our students have the opportunity to leave their classrooms, go out into the community and hear firsthand accounts of combat and life during wartime from the people who actually made that history. Talk about bringing historyalive!” – Eileen Hurst, Central Connecticut State University

“I cannot express how enlightening and interesting this project has been. From these people, I have learned a great deal about courage, endurance, and patriotism that I have not, and could not have, found in my own generation.” – Brady Schuh, Eagle Scout

“It was a good thing that I sent the originals to you, or they would now be destroyed. Hurricane Katrina put 5 ½ feet of water in our home… so I’m gladtheLibraryofCongresshasthem.” –ShirleyCarpenter,WWIVeteran’sFamilyMember

“Working as a community volunteer for the Veterans History Project, I have learned so much history, geography, and of the humble sacrifice that Americanshavemade.” –GwendolynCopeland,CommunityVolunteer

3/13Photographs courtesy of Veterans History Project Collection,

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Veterans History Project

American Folklife Center

Library of Congress

101 Independence Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20540–4615

tel: 202–707–4916

msg: 1–888–371–5848

fax: 202–252–2046

email: [email protected]

www.loc.gov/vets/

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